Stars and Stripes Doulas, LLC is the only full service military doula agency in the country focusing on supporting those who honorably serve our country. We have locations in Washington DC, New Orleans, Hampton Roads, Kansas, and Fort Bragg and look forward to expanding nationwide. We are proud to support military families, law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMT’s, public servants, doctors, social workers, and many other professionals both nationally and internationally through our doula-client relationship as well as our professional relationships with healthcare providers. With extensive personal and professional experience in the military and public service culture, we look forward to meeting you and learning how we can make it our mission to support your growing family.

We are committed to supporting you and your family, YOUR WAY, during pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum and are so excited to meet you today.

Meet Melissa & Melanie, the founders of Stars and Stripes Doulas and learn more about our passion for supporting families.

From our labor support and postpartum support to our sibling support, learn more about how we can best support your growing family.

What Our Clients Are Saying

Stars and Stripes Doulas were recommended several times when looking for a doula on Facebook. Melanie and Justine were my doula team! I]ve never had a doula before so I don’t have anything to compare the doula to. However, I did interview another doula but she was with a company and I liked the personal feel of this only being two doulas and getting to know both of them as opposed to a company. I loved the small and personal feel and connection, also, the experience with military, or in my case, not having family around.

B., Alexandria, VA

Madison was recommended to me when looking for a doula. She was very calming and helpful. She reminded me to breathe and relax physically and mentally. I did not have doulas in my previous births and Madison exceeded my expectations for a doula during this birth. I chose Stars and Stripes Doulas because of how nice and personable they were!

K., Fort Riley, KS

I met the doula team at an in-person photo shoot we attended through their agency. Their in-person and phone support were exactly what we were looking for! I loved that we had two doulas that helped during pregnancy and Justine helped me to rock my birth! Their prices and location made them the best military doulas for us!

E., Andrews AFB, MD

I love that Stars and Stripes Doulas are easy to communicate with via text message to assist with deciphering labor symptoms 3-4 weeks before labor. They answered the phone quickly once I went into labor and were supportive and responsive. I also love how professional they are! The team approach gave me comfort in knowing that there were two doulas available to support us in case one of them was busy. An added bonus is that they have familiarity with the military healthcare system.

M., Fort Belvoir, VA

Justine was exactly what I hoped for in having someone to support who stayed with me throughout instead of in and out like medical staff during labor. I immediately liked both doulas but specifically liked they had base access which was much easier to coordinate when I was in labor. My husband talked on phone to Justine when labor started. She then met us at hospital and immediately provided support as we went to triage. Justine provided verbal encouragement throughout contractions and pushing, immediately came to my side when husband left to stay with the baby (taken to warmer to clear lungs) and helped me remain comfortable with cool cloth, water, fresh pillow, etc. One thing that stood out is that Justine did everything I asked for and immediately responded to what I needed. She was also quick to pick on my nonverbal clues when I wasn’t able to speak.

R., Springfield, VA

I chose Stars and Stripes Doulas because I trusted the person who gave me the referral. After we talked, I really liked the fact that they were not too dogmatic about a certain way of birth, or way of feeding my child. They were supportive of what I wanted to do! Melanie came as soon as we asked her to. She was probably the most important person in the delivery room in terms of support. My mom and husband were there and they were great, but the doula was at a different level of support. Prenatally, Melanie and Melissa were ALWAYS there with quick responses to questions and concerns we had about the process. Stars and Stripes Doulas exceeded my expectations.

M., Washington DC

When we met Melanie in our birthing class we instantly knew we wanted her to be our doula! She was very caring and always seemed interested. When labor began Melanie was very helpful and arrived at our house exactly when we requested. Once in the hospital she was priceless in the aid and comfort she provided to us both. Stars and Stripes Doulas provides an amazing service to military clients with military doulas on the team. I really feel as if you care for us and the service you provide is priceless! Thank you so much!

A., Fort Belvoir, VA

Melanie came highly recommended through a friend and I hired her to coach my husband and I through the birth of our child. I was also wanted a breastfeeding expert and found that in Melanie. My goals were to have a drug free birth and to breastfeed for two months and with Melanie's support I was able to accomplish both. She was honest, thorough, and checked on us frequently prenatally and postpartum. If it had not been for her advice to stay at the hospital when I was encouraged to go home for a bit, I would have likely had an unassisted birth at home due to the fast labor and birth. I am so grateful for her expertise!

A., Fort Belvoir, VA

As a surrogate, I was looking for a special level of support that no ordinary doula could provide. Melanie, a former surrogate herself, was the perfect doula for me. My goal was to have a successful VBAC but unfortunately due to cord complications a cesarean was scheduled and Melanie eased my stress with her support. Melanie's attentiveness and experience stands out most to me.

T., Woodbridge, VA

I hired Melissa and Melanie because I was looking for support for an unmedicated birth with minimal interventions and I had also experienced a neonatal loss in the family and needed additional emotional support. We hired military doulas because base access was a huge advantage and having women that understood the unique challenges we faced with no family nearby and a looming deployment soon after our child's birth was ideal. Although my labor went incredibly quickly, Melissa was incredibly supportive in all the right ways. During the postpartum visits, Melissa helped me with pumping and Melanie watched my baby so that I could take a swim class with my toddler. The implicit trust I have in these women is invaluable. I found the most valuable assets Melissa & Melanie provided were emotional support, camaraderie, and trustworthiness. They really went above and beyond and I felt like they were family. That is priceless during the most important moments in life.

A., Falls Church, VA

"I seriously would not know how I would've functioned without Melanie and Melissa!!! First of all, they are the sweetest people ever. Welcoming them into my home was like opening the door to long time friends. I had my second child a month ago and my husband is in a wheelchair. We decided it was best for us all to have some postpartum assistance. They are there to help with anything you need to assure that you focus on yourself, first and foremost, and the bonding with baby...or be able to continue to bond with my toddler. They offer professional newborn and postpartum care advice. Even when they are not in my home they still are available to my questions and concerns. I don't know how I'm going to part ways when the time comes....they've become what feels like family!"

M., Fort Belvoir, VA

"Melanie and Melissa were my #dreamteam. Melanie supported me during my 40+ hour labor (all the way through the days of "early labor" and then "active labor" at VHC). As my birth progressed and it became clear that my natural birth goals were no longer viable, Melanie was my emotional rock as I prepared for an urgent C-section. Post-op, Melanie helped my son to latch right away and worked with me on positioning to ensure that my breastfeeding journey was comfortable and enjoyable. After my hospital stay, I was wildly unprepared for the reality of caring for a newborn while recovering from major surgery. Melissa supported me as my post-partum doula in my home during this time. She helped me to care for my son and kept the household running smoothly so I could catch a few precious hours of shut-eye, shower, or have a few moments alone with my spouse. She also worked with me on everything from baby wearing to bottle feeding and coping with post-partum anxiety. All told, I don't know how I would have made it through the emotional ups and downs of labor and the "4th trimester" without my doulas!"

J., Fairfax County, VA

"I was considered high risk and had a lot of anxiety induced by the concerns from being high risk. In addition, my partner has a hard time being around medical facilities therefore we decided to hire a doula to help us in these areas. Melissa was so welcoming and nonjudgmental from the second I heard back from her. I knew I wanted her to be a part of this special experience. She made me feel at ease during the most important moment of my life. For me, I could not imagine looking back and not having Melissa there the day of and days leading up to my son's birth. She really made it not only ok to "feel" what I was feeling but she also brought so much joy to the occasion! My goal for my birth was be at peace. Melissa helped me feel at peace with whatever I needed, wanted, or whatever situation was arising. She always brought peace to the moment. Melissa was able to talk to and even comfort not only me but my partner and Mother. I found her to be the glue that held us all together, and with a smile. Melissa gave every single thing she could to make sure my experience what I needed it to be. The thing that stands out most about my experience was that Melissa listened to me."

H., Loudoun Co, Va

“When we found out we were expecting our first child we looked to find a doula for guidance and support. We chose Melissa because she was very kind, sincere, and honest. Melissa provided the assurance and comfort we were seeking for our birth experience and she helped make the birth as smooth as possible without any surprises. We appreciated how informative and readily available Melissa was during the pregnancy and birth and the support she provided.”

A. (Father), Washington DC

Stars and Stripes Doulas

Stars and Stripes Doulas is honored to be welcomed at many local hospitals and birth centers near military installations throughout the United States. We currently have doulas in Washington DC, Hampton Roads, New Orleans, Fort Riley, and Fort Bragg.